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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam
The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Click here to report a problem with this page.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear sir/madam" (a standard Nigerian greeting phrase)
- "million united states dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
Fraud email example:
From: "Mr.Steve Douglas" <Test@micropixelserver.com>
Reply-To: steve.douglas@tchpcny.com
Date: Tue, 11 Jul 2017 01:39:37 -0700
Subject: Partnership/Investment Funding
Dear Sir/Madam,
Re; Request for Partnership.
I am aware of the unsafe nature of the internet ; but due to the prevailing
circumstances it appears to be my best option to seek for partnership.
Permit me; my name is Steve A. Douglas and I have a mandate to source for a reliable
and trustworthy prospect with the experience to work with a high profile client
under loan/partnership arrangement in the investment of funds in excess of ($500
Million) Five Hundred Million United States Dollars.
Our group is a major player in investment in Africa,the Middle-East, Europe and the United
States of America. We believe in pursuing a positive goal, in which your ideas can
be enhanced to it potential for mutual benefit as we seek new frontier and
opportunities.
The investor is open to negotiation and all arrangements will be made under a
legitimate framework.
Full details will be disclosed to you on your expression of interest
I look forward to working with you.
Warmest Regards
Steve A.Douglas
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Anti-fraud resources:
